How Much Does a Funeral Cost?
The Government of Canada regulates the burial and funeral industry. When it comes to determining financial decisions to pay for a funeral, there are many factors to consider, such as burials, funeral services, and memorial services. Below is a breakdown of things to think about when planning a funeral:
- Preparing the Body: When someone passes away, they often need to be transferred from the place of death to a cemetery or crematorium. Transfer service fees can start in the hundreds and cost more if someone needs to be moved across a province. Moreover, body preparation can consist of bathing, grooming, and dressing the deceased body. This may involve someone coming in to put make-up on the body, fix the hair, or put on a particular outfit. The pricing varies and can often be in the low to high hundreds.
- Death Certificates: Death certificates often comprise the deceased’s full name, gender, date, and place of death, date of birth, place of residence, and registration information. The cost varies based on the province location. For instance, it can cost $27-$60 in British Columbia and $15-25 in Ontario. There are also similarly ranged fees for a certified copy of a death registration, a certified copy of a death registration with the cause of death information, and a death search letter. Although there are no constraints on who can apply for a death certificate, only the deceased’s next of kin or an authorized representative can apply for a certified copy of a death registration. Next of kin consists of parents, a spouse, children, and siblings.
- Burials: There are several types of burial options for the deceased, including:
- Caskets: Caskets can be more on the simple side or overly elaborate. They can be used during a wake, funeral service, or a burial. You can purchase a casket directly from a funeral home or buy one elsewhere. Caskets are used in the majority of burials in Canada and can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. More economical caskets are often made out of cloth-covered plywood, hardwood laminated plywood, or wood veneer. Pricier caskets can consist of steel with varying amounts of the thickness or are made out of solid wood such as maple, oak, or pine. The most expensive type of casket can be made out of solid copper or bronze, which are naturally resistant to corrosion or rust and can cost around $20,000. Another option is to rent a casket for a couple of thousand dollars, in case you want a casket for a funeral or viewing but then cremate the deceased body.
- Cremation: Cremation rates are often less costly than a burial in a casket. The cremation process involves intense heat that reduces the deceased’s body into ashes and a granular texture. The cremated remains are then usually stored in a type of urn, which varies significantly in terms of size, design, and price. Ashes can be hand-delivered or mailed, and people can either reside with the urn they put the ashes in, scatter the remains, or bury them.
- Embalming: Embalming consists of draining the body of fluids and replacing them with chemicals such as formaldehyde and ethanol to preserve it for viewing. Some funeral homes may or may not require a body to be embalmed, though it may need to be legally embalmed if transported far, such as by air. Embalming may have additional costs and can sometimes not be required if it runs contrary to religious beliefs.
When it comes to burials, keep in mind that pricing increases compared to having a burial plot and grave marker or headstone in a public or private cemetery. Vaults and mausoleum burials also raise the price, as they enclose the coffin and protects it even further by serving as a type of burial liner.
- Funeral Services: A funeral service is a ceremony held in honour of a person’s death. Funeral homes and ceremonies generally provide a list of services for family members, such as moving the deceased’s body to the funeral home, embalming, applying cosmetics, and including a casket or urn. Other examples include arranging the service, preparing obituaries, purchasing flowers, buying a cemetery plot, and holding a reception. Costs tend to range in the thousands depending on what is included.
- Memorial Services: A memorial service can be similar to a funeral service, but often does not have the body or casket present. The deceased could have already been cremated, and a formal viewing has not been decided on. Memorial services can be held in case family members and friends live far away, and a simpler funeral arrangement is thereby made.
Losing a loved one is painful, and planning a funeral service can be extremely challenging. Funeral homes can try to persuade you to pay heftier expenses, leading to unnecessary overspending. During this tough time, it can be very helpful to have a trusted advisor protect you from going beyond your budget while also letting you feel less burdened with funeral debt. By discussing funeral arrangements ahead of time with your life insurance provider and adding details of final wishes, loved ones can have a guide to follow and reduce their confusion on what decisions to make when tragedy strikes.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Life insurance can serve as a lifeline when family members plan for a loved one’s funeral or memorial service. It can be a devastatingly emotional time to cope with a loved one passing away, and also having to settle bills and pay for funeral expenses.
We get it – it’s difficult to think about leaving your loved ones with the financial burden of your funeral and final expenses without providing support. Our team of licensed professionals at Hometown Life Insurance are here to help you avoid that scenario. Our team has the expertise to help you tailor an insurance plan to fit your needs. Contact our Hometown team today to get started!
